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Errol Thompson (audio engineer)

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Errol Thompson
Birth nameErrol Thompson
Also known asET
Born(1948-12-29)December 29, 1948
OriginKingston, Jamaica
DiedNovember 13, 2004(2004-11-13) (aged 55)
GenresReggae, ska, dub
OccupationRecord producer
Years active1960s–1980s

Errol Thompson (December 29, 1948 – November 13, 2004), better known as "ET", was a record producer, audio engineer, and one of the first studio engineers to be involved in dub music.

Career

Thompson gained studio experience at Studio One, working alongside Joe Gibbs.[1] He went on to work for Bunny Lee and in the 1970s he worked (along with Niney) as an engineer at Randy's Studio 17, in Kingston, Jamaica. Thompson engineered the first instrumental reggae album, The Undertaker by Derrick Harriott and the Crystallites' released in 1970.[2]

He went on to work with Joe Gibbs from 1975.[1] Gibbs and Thompson were known collectively as the Mighty Two.[1] Together they produced music by Junior Byles, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Althea and Donna, Prince Far I, and Eek-A-Mouse, before their partnership ended in 1983 when Gibbs relocated to Miami.[1]

Thompson also engineered tracks by Bob Marley, The Abyssinians, Augustus Pablo, Big Youth, Culture, Yellowman, Frankie Paul and Burning Spear. In addition, he produced work by I-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Freddie McGregor and Barrington Levy. Thompson also worked with producer, Clive Chin. His final project, the "Hard Times Riddim", co-produced with Stephen Gibson, son of partner Joe Gibbs, was instrumental in creating a resurgence in dancehall. The album included many key reggae performers of the time including, Capleton, I Wayne, Richie Spice, Chuck Fenda and Luciano.

Later in life, he moved away from the music industry and managed a supermarket in North Parade, downtown Kingston.[3] Thompson died, after numerous strokes, on November 13, 2004, at the age of 55.

Discography

Albums

With King Tubby

  • King Tubby / Errol Thompson - The Black Foundation In Dub (2000, Heartbeat Records)
Singles & EPs
  • Jamaican Born & Bred / Version (7") (1971, Ashanti)
  • Prince Far I / Errol Thompson - Same Knife / Different Dagger (7") (1999, Crazy Joe)
  • The Stones, Errol Thompson & The Mighty Artons - Penetrate (7")
  • Linval Thompson / Scientist & Errol Thompson - Touch Up The Key (7")
  • Johnnie Clarke / Errol Thompson, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - Take Heed / Look Out (7")
  • The Echoes / Joe Gibbs, Errol Thompson & The Professionals - Problems In Being A Dread / Dread Problems (7")
  • Errol Thompson / J Gibson & Clint Eastwood / Bigger T - Production Plan / Million Dollar Plan (7")
  • Kojack & Miss Glitter / Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson - I Can't Stop Loving You / Loving You (7")
Contributing artist

References

  1. ^ a b c d Thompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, p. 314-315, 318
  2. ^ Porter, Christopher. "Reggae Overview". National Geographic World Music. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
  3. ^ Katz, David (2004-12-09). "Obituary: Errol Thompson". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2008-03-20.


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